Tamperproof screw closure



- June 30, 1959 .1. H. FREDETTE ET AL TAMPERPROOF SCREW CLOSURE Fi ledMay 5, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIG.5

FIG.(

INVEINTORS JOSEPH H. FREDETTE RALPH K. POTTLE RICHARD SWARTZ BY/g a, A

MAJ/Q @M ATTORNEYS June 1959 J. H. FREDETTE ETAL 2,892,572

TAMPERPROOF SCREW CLOSURE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 3, 1957 FIIG.IO

United States Patent TAMPERPROOFSCREW CLOSURE Joseph H. Fredette, NewYork, N.Y., Ralph K. Pottle,

Georgetown, Conn., and Richard P. Swartz, Chestertown, Md., assignors toAmerican Can Company, New York, N.Y.,' a corporation of New JerseyApplication May 3, 1957, Serial No. 656,779

12 Claims. (Cl. 222-153) The present invention relates to containershaving dispensing nozzles and the like threaded for the reception of ascrew closure and has particular reference to a novel feature in theclosure which renders it tamperproof.

An object of the invention is to provide a tamperproof closure for acontainer so as to insure that the purchaser of the container receivesit in its originally sealed condition.

Another object is to provide such a tamperproof closure which isyieldably mounted on a nozzle in such a manner that it is locked againstremoval and still free to rotate so that it will not be broken inattempting to tamper with the container.

Another object is to provide a break-out section in such a tamperproofclosure whereby rupture of the breakout section by the consumer releasesthe closure for removal by unscrewing and also visibly indicates thatthe container has been tampered with if the break-out section is'removedprior to purchase of the container.

Numerous other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparentas it is better understood from the following description, which, takenin connection with the accompanying drawings, discloses a preferredembodiment thereof.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure ,1 is a perspective view of a sealed container embodying theinstant invention, with the lower portion of the container broken away;

a Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of the dispensingnozzle and closure on the container shown in Fig. 1; p

V Fig. 3 is a horizontal section taken substantially along the brokenline 3-3 in Fig. 2;

T Fig. 4 is a fragmentary side elevation of the closure showing abreak-out section provided in the closure;

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 2, showing a modified form of theinvention;

Fig. 6 is a horizontal section taken substantially along the broken line6-6 in Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a view similar to Fig. 2, showing a second modified form ofthe invention;

Fig. 8 is a horizontal section taken substantially along the broken line88 in Fig. 7;

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary side elevation of the closure shown in Fig. 7,with parts broken away to illustrate a section taken substantially alongthe curved line 9-9 in Fig. 8;

Fig. 10 is a view similar to Fig. 2; showing a third modified form ofthe invention;

Fig. 11 is a horizontal section taken substantially along the line 1111in Fig. 10;

Fig. 12 is a sectional detail taken substantially along the line 12-12in Fig. 10; and

Fig. 13 is a sectional detail taken substantially along the line 13-13in Fig. 11.

x As a preferred or exemplary embodiment of the instant invention, Figs.1, 2, 3 and 4 of the drawings disclose a tamperproof closure 21 for acontainer 22 having a top end member 23 provided with a dispensingnozzle 24 which is rotatable in the container and which preferably is avalve type nozzle such as used for pressure containers designed todispense liquid insecticides, etc..in a fine spray or less fluidmaterials such as whipped cream and shaving lathers in the form of afoam. Such a'valve type nozzle is disclosed in United StatesPatent2,704,621 issued March 22, 1955, to I. W. Solfer on Dispenser C10 sureHaving Tilt Valve and Aligning Cap.

The valve type nozzle shown in the drawings briefly comprises aresilient grommet 26 seated within an opening surrounded by an upturnedflange 27 in the container top member 23. The grommet 26 sealinglysupports the nozzle 24 which in this case, is an elongated tubularmember which extends through the grommet and is formed at its lower endwith a retaining head 28 engaging against the bottom of the grommet. Thetubular nozzle 24 projects above the container top closure 23 and at itsupper end is provided with an external screw thread 29 for cooperationwith similar intermeshing screw threads in the closure 21 to retain theclosure in sealing position on the nozzle.

Immediately below the nozzle screw threads 29, the nozzle is providedwith a preferably downwardly and outwardly tapered integral collar 32which provides a shoulder 33 projecting outwardly from the'nozzle. Ahelical compression spring 34 disposed around the nozzle and interposedbetween the collar shoulder 33 and the container top member 23 draws thehead 28 of the nozzle, up tight against the bottom of the grommet 26 andthus holds the entire valve structure firmly in place while per mittingrotation of the nozzle in the grommet when required.

The closure 21 preferably is provided at its lower end with a relativelywide, slightly tapered-from-the-horizontal, flange 36 which at its outeredge merges with a depending annular skirt 37 which extends down closeto the container top member 23.

In order to provide against accidental unscrewing of the closure 21 fromthe nozzle 24 or against willful removal of the closure to tamper withthe container con tents, the closure is provided with a locking elementor wire spring 41 (Figs. 2 and 3) which extends substantially radiallyfrom the closure skirt 37 to the nozzle-24,

' along the underside of the closure flange as shown in Fig.

2. The inner end of the wire spring 41 abuts against one of a pluralityof ratchet teeth or tooth-like projections 42 formed in the nozzlecollar 32 in spaced relation around its outer periphery and in adirection which locks the nozzle against the wire spring when theclosure is turned as in unscrewing it from the nozzle (counterclockwiseas in the direction of the arrow as viewed in Fig. 3).

Intermediate its ends, the wire spring 41 is confined between a pair oflugs 43 which depend from the underside of the closure flange 36 toconfine the spring against lateral displacement to protect it againstexcessive flexure. The other end of the wire spring 41 extends downadjacent the inner face of the closure skirt 37 and is embedded in a lug44 formed on the inner face of the skirt.

Hence the closure 21 may be readily screwed onto the nozzle 24 (in aclockwise direction as viewed in Fig. '3) without any interference fromthe locking wire spring 41, but when once fully attached to the nozzle,i.e., screwed all the way down to seal the nozzle, the inner end of thespring 41 engages in one of the ratchet teeth 42 and prevents unscrewingof the closure. However this is not a solid lock which would causebreakage of the closure 21 by a forceful unscrewing action, since thespring 43 serves as a yieldable connection andyields or Patented June30, 1959" bends to a, certainextentand beyond this, causes the noz- 19.1 t ro ate. n the. grommet. 2.6. and, thereby prevents. breakage of theclosure or any part thereof. The closure can be rotated with the nozzlein either direction.

He ce the s s u ecann t e m ed. r m t e, conta n to tarnpeewith thecontents unless it is removed in the e i presided; {or and this visiblyshows on the skirt f; cl ur a d e es a a ndi a i n a e aiaerr may a e,be n pr o s y p ned nd t mper dwith.

In order; to release the closure for removal by unscrewing from thenozzle provision is made for manually breaking-out a section of theclosure skirt 37. For this purpose the portion of the skirt thatincludes the wire spring. holding lug 4 4 is surrounded by a pair. ofspaced and, parallel vertically disposed score lines 46 (Eigs. 3 41 .91n t sk r and a ncc ns scar e 47 (Fia- 2 i n the closure flange 36. Thesescore lines define a weakeneduarea or break-out section; 48,- which onits inner face carries the spring lug 44' and on its outer face carries.a break-out lug 49. By merely pressing downwardly or upwardly on thebreak-out lug 49 the weakened area 48 may be readily broken out of theskirt 37 Thewire. spring 41 falls out with the broken-out section 48 andthus it releases theclosure. 21 so that it may be readily. unscrewed andremovedfrorn the nozzle. Thus the purchaser of the container is providedwith a way of releasing the locked closure 21 and is assured that thecontainer has not been tampered with.

In a modified form of the invention as shownin Figs. 5,v and 6, thehelical compression spring 34 which holds the nozzle 24, in place on thecontainer top member 23 is formed to! also serve as the closure lockingelement. In gthis form at the invention the ratchet teeth '42 on thenozzle 2,4-are provided in the shoulder 33. of the collar 32 and theupper terminal end of the compression spring 34 is bent upwardlyandabuts against one of the ratchet teeth as shown in Fig. 5. Theopposite or lower end of he comp e s on p n 3.4 is ex e ded as a r l diphsedle' 'fil (Fi d hi near e n e a (if the] closure skirt 37 but inspaced relation thereto merges into a curved spring section 52 whichextends around the inside of the skirt 37 in a substantially horizontalplane in spaced relation thereto and substantially concentric with theskirt and terminates in a blunt end 53 adjacent but spaced relative tothe radial leg 51. A locking lug 54 on the inner face of the break-outsection 48 in the closure skirt 37 extends inwardly in the space betweenthe radial leg 51 and the blunt end 53 of the spring. 34 where it may beengaged by either of these P r sns c e p In operation, rotation of theclosure 21 after it is applied to the nozzle 24 results in ayieldableengagement of the spring entensions 51, 53 with the locking lug 54 andthereby prevents unscrewing of the closure 21in the same ma ner as x lned b e nic n s ti n w h t e Pre m. o h in n i n A n he pre erre form,the locked closure 21 may be released by breaking out the weakened area48 by pressure onthe outer lug 49.

' A second modified formof the invention as shown in Figs. 7, 8" and 9embodies substantially the same structure as shown in the modified formillustrated in Figs. 5 and 6, except that the radial leg 51 of thecompression spring-34 extends outwardly to the inner face of the closureskirt 37 and its terminal end is confined in a notch 56- in a retaininglug 57 which extends inwardly from the weakened area or break-outsection 48 in the closure skirt. One side of the retaining lug 57 is cutaway and formed with acam edge 58 as shown in Fig. 9 to permitlocking-of the radialleg 51 of the spring 34, into the notch 56 when theclosure 21 is first applied to the nozzle 24.

- Operation of this form of the invention is the same as theforrnshereinbefore described and release of the locking spring 'to release theclosure for removal is etfected in the same manner through rupture ofthe break-out section 45.01. the closure skirt 31.

In a third modified form of the invention shown in Figs. 10, 11, 12 and13 and based on the modified form shown in Figs. 5 and 6, the lowerterminal end of the helical compression spring 34 abuts against one of aplurality of projections 61 (Figs. 11 and 13) formed in a ror m i c rrund n the rommet. 2. a interposed between the lower end ofthecompression spring 34 and the container top membee 23 as shown in Fig.id. The outer marginal edge portionof the disc 62 is, formed with aplurality of spaced ratchet teeth 63, any one of which is engageableagainst a locking lug 64 oust-he break-out section 48 in the closureskirt 37. Theratchet teeth 63 in the disc 62 preferably are formed withtrailing, downwardly tapered; wings 65 whichpermit the locking lug 64 toride up on them and fall down in front of the teeth when the closure isrotated in a clockwise direction (as viewed Fig. 1 l to screw theclosune 21 onto the nozzle 24. i

When the closure 21 is once-applied to the nozzle 24, an unscrewingaction by rotation in a counterclockwise direction (Fig. 11) merelyrotates the disc 61 and tends to unwind the compression spring 34. byreason of its locked upper end engaged in the collarv ratchet teeth"Beyond this, the closure can be rotated in this direetion throughrotation of the nozzle 24 asin the. other forms of the invention. Onlythrough manual rupture. of the break-out section 48 can the closurebereleased for removal, as described in connection withthe. other tornsv of the invention.

It is thought that the invention and .manyof; its attendant advantageswill be understood from the foregoing description, and it will beapparent that various changes may be made in the form, construction andar: rangement of the parts without departing from thespirit and scope ofthe invention or sacrificing all of its material, advantages, the formhereinbef ore deseribed being m y a re er d mb i e t. he qf- We claim;

l- A in rh g a i ne insnozz d a t mpe proof screw closure therefor,comprising a nozzle mounted in said container, ascrew closure threadedlyconnected to said nozzle and having a manually rupturable break-outsection in a wall thereof, and locking means fully enclosed within saidclosure and in interlock; ing engagement with an inner portion of saidclosure break-out section and with said nozzle so that said closure andnozzle are rotatable together in either direction, whereby removal ofsaid rupturable section fromsaid closure releases said locking means;andindicates that the closure has been unlocked'and rendered movablerela tive to the nozzle-to permit access to the contents of thecontainer. Y

2. A container of the character defined in claim 1 he n, a no z i P oided. w h a least mes like projection and wherein-saidlockingmeansincludes an element having locking engagement with one of saidprojections. i i p 3. A container of thecharacter defined in claim Iwherein said nozzle is provided with a plurality oftoothlike projectionsand said means for releasing said lock is a manually removable break-outsection in said closure and wherein said locking means includes aspringelement having one end in abutting engagement with one of saidtooth-like projections. l

4. A container having a, dispensing nozzle. and a tamperproof screwclosure therefor, comprising a nozzle mounted in said container andhaving a plurality of toothlike projections thereon, a; screw closurethreadedly connected to said nozzle, a manilallyremovable break-outsection in said closure, and locking means f including a radiallydisposed spring having one end thereof in abutting engagement with oneof said tooth-like projections and the PP e ar hsre t ontas in a he oaidhrsa sout section for interlocking said closure and nozzle so thatthey are rotatable together in either direction, whereby upon removal ofsaid break-out section from the closure releases said spring fromlocking position and indicates that the closure has been unlocked andrendered movable relative to the nozzle to permit access to the contentsof the container.

5. A container of the character defined in claim 4 wherein there isprovided means on said closure for confining said wire springintermediate its ends against lateral displacement relative to saidclosure to protect said spring against excessive fiexure.

6. A container of the character defined in claim 4 wherein saidbreak-out section of said closure is provided with an inwardlyprojecting lug and wherein said spring element is formed with a radialsection terminating adjacent one side of said lug and merging into acurved portion surrounding said nozzle and disposed in a horizontalplane and terminating in a blunt end located in spaced relation to saidradial section and adjacent the opposite side of said closure lug.

7. A container of the character defined in claim 6 wherein said springelement is a helical compression spring surrounding said nozzle forretaining said nozzle in place in said container and wherein said radialsection and said curved portion of said spring element are extensions ofsaid helical spring.

8. A container of the character defined in claim 4 wherein said springelement is a helical compression spring surrounding said nozzle andhaving its opposite end projecting radially of said nozzle andterminating in a confining recess in said break-out section of saidclosure.

9. A container of the character defined in claim 8 wherein saidconfining recess is provided in a lug projecting inwardly from saidbreak-out section and wherein said lug is provided with a cam edgedisposed adjacent and leading to said recess to facilitate engagement ofsaid spring end into said recess during the original application of saidclosure to said nozzle.

10. A container of the character defined in claim 4 wherein saidbreak-out section of said closure is provided with an inwardly extendinglug and wherein there is pro vided a locking disc surrounding saidnozzle and having tooth-like projections around its outer peripheryengageable against said closure lug and having inner tooth-likeprojections disposed adjacent and surrounding said nozzle, and whereinsaid spring element is a helical spring surrounding said nozzle andhaving its opposite end engaging into one of said inner tooth-likeprojections.

11. A container of the character defined in claim 10 wherein saidhelical spring is a compression spring and is interposed between saidlocking disc and a shoulder provided on said nozzle for maintaining saiddisc under pressure.

12. A container of the character defined in claim 10 wherein said outertooth-like projections on said locking disc are provided with downwardlytapered wings to facilitate riding of said closure lug over saidprojections during the original application of said closure to saidnozzles.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,814,658 Barroll July 14, 1931

